Insect trap



H vvgsgow TNSHCT TRAP Filed Mag, 7, 1929 INVENTOR Hwy 550 Patented Mar-Zh HARRY B. WESSON, OF TAMPA, FLORIDA INSECT TRAP Application filed May7, 1929. Serial No. 361,086.

This invention relates to traps for insects such as roaches andparticularly to a simple, lnexpensive and effective device from whichthe insects cannot escape, although they may I enter easily.

In certain sect-ions of the country roaches and similar insects grow torelatively large size and are a nuisance and a serious menace to health.The usual method of destroying such pests is to supply them with poisonfood. This, however, leads to disagreeable consequences if the insectsdie in hidden crevices or are picked up and eaten by poultry.

The object of the present invention is to provide an effective trap intowhich the insectscan be lured by food or otherwise and in which they canbe destroyed.

Other objects and advantages of the in- 2 vention will be apparent as itis better understood by reference to the following specification and theaccompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a trapembodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the trap;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in section of the entrance to the trap;

Fig. 4: is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a slightly modifiedarrangement, and

Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views of different forms of the opening throughwhich the insects may enter the tra In carrying out the invention, Iprovide a cage of wire cloth or similar material which is preferablyhemispherical in form and is rovi'ded at its lower edge with astiffening hand or flange of metal or other suitable material. Theflange is adapted to engage frictionally or otherwise withacorresponding flange of a plate or pan which serves as :a bottom forthe trap. The plate or pan is preferably made of some suitable metal,and

. 5 a" convenient arrangement is to provide a friction joint between thetwo sections of the 'trapso that they can be separated readily to permitremoval of the insects which have entered the trap.

To permit ingress of the insects I provide a conical depression at thetop of the wire cage terminating in an opening which,permits'the insectsto enter the trap. The depression and the opening at the end thereof maybe formed by subjectingv the cage of wire cloth to the action ofsuitable dies which depress the fabric and sever the wires about theopening.

The ends of the wires at the opening may be left in a ragged condition,that is with the wires projecting about the opening. Such an arrangementassists in preventing the insects from returning throu h the opening. Itmay, however, be desirsfifle, principally for the sake of appearance, tofinish the opening by a band or ferrule. Such a ferrule may be formedreadily ,by dipping the ends of the wires at the opening in a bath ofsolder. The opening through which the insects I enter may be circular,but I have found that the lmost' practicable form is substantially ovasuch an opening, but escape therethroug'h is. difficult ancl'in mostcases impossible. In the apparatuses described, I may place suitablefood or bait which will' attract' the insects. The latter crawl over theoutside of the cage, enter the depressionand descend therein until theyfinallyjdrop through the Insects can enter readily through opening ontothe bottom. When once in the trap, the only possibility of escape is forthe insect to jump through the opening,'and my experience with traps ofthe character described has demonstrated that escape in this manner israrely accomplished.

The preferred form of the apparatus is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which 5 indicates a cage of wire cloth or other suitablematerial vahichds generallyfliemispherical iri'form. The lower edge ofthe cage is secured by a joint 6 to an annular flange? which ispreferably of metal. The flange may have a rolled edge 8 which isadapted to co-operate with a flange 9 on a pan 10 which forms the bottomof .the trap. A friction joint between the edge 8 and the flange 9 ispreferred, although the connec tion may be made in any suitable manner.

The top of the cage 5 is depressed to form an entrance passage 10extending to an openand a bottom, said cage having a generally ing 11through which the insects enter the dome-shaped top with an entrancepassage trap. The edge of the wire cloth surroundtherethrough, the lnnerend of the entrance ing the opening may have the wires 12 propassagebeing formed of wire mesh having jecting therefrom as indicated in Fig.3, or a fray ed inner end with the wlres thereof 70 the edge may besurrounded with a ferrule dlverglng from said mner end. 13 as indicatedin Fig. 4. The former ar- In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature.rangement is preferred because the wires im- HARRY B. WESSON. pede theattempt of the insect to escape through the opening. As shown by thedraw- 75 ings the frayed ends of the wires 12 may be bent back from theopening so as to make the opening more attractive to the roaches, ithaving been found that roaches will more 15 readily enter through anopening where the 80 frayed ends of the wires are turned back than whenthey are permitted to extend straight downwardly. As indicated in Figs.5 and 6,=the opening may be circular or oval, the latter form beingpreferred. It is to be un- ,85

- derstood that while Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a ferrule 13 applied tothe edge of the opening, either form of opening may be employed withprojecting wires 12 as shown in Fig. 3.

' The trap as described is a most effective 90 apparatus for collectinginsects such as roaches. I have found that such insects will enter thetrap readily and that large numbers of them can be collected therein in.Y Sofa-brief period. They can be'destroyed by 95 4 I scalding orotherwise." The remains can be removed easily from the trap byseparating the bottom from the cage and the trap is then ready tocollect more of the insects. Various changes may be made in the detailsof construction and arrangement'of the apparatus without departing fromthe invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof. 40 I claim:1

( 1. A trap for insects comprising a cage of wire cloth and a bottom,said ca e having a generally dome-shaped top wit an en- 7 trance passagetherethrough, said entrance passage being defined throughout its entirelength by a depressed portion of the wire cloth.

2. A trap for insects comprising a cage of wire-cloth and a bottom, saidcage having a generally dome-shaped top with an entrance passagetherethrough terminating in an ovalshaped'opening, said entrance passa ebeing defined throughout its entire length y a depressed portion of thewire cloth. 3. A trap for insects comprising acage of wire cloth and abottom, said cage havin a generally dome-shaped top with an entrancepassage therethrough, said cage having a downwardly extending lip with afringe of B0 projecting ends of the wire formin the cloth andterminating in an oval-shape opening, said entrance passage beingdefined throughout its entire length by a depressed portion of the wirecloth. 35 4. A trap for insects comprising a cage

